Cyber fraud trends in Telangana

Cybercrime in Telangana, particularly in Hyderabad, is characterized by highly organized syndicates often operating from abroad in countries such as Vietnam, Myanmar, and Cambodia. Shikha Goel, Director of the Telangana Cyber Security Bureau, reported that investment and stock-market scams account for nearly 60% of cybercrime-related financial losses in the region.

Recent incidents highlight the diverse tactics used by these criminals. These include ‘digital arrest’ scams, where fraudsters impersonate officials from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to coerce victims, as well as fake trading applications promoted on social media. Other methods involve sophisticated impersonation via WhatsApp and the use of malicious files to facilitate fraudulent transfers.

In one single day, three separate schemes in Hyderabad resulted in a loss of ₹5.35 crore. While the Telangana Cyber Police have recovered Rs 455 crore over the last two years, authorities continue to warn citizens that ‘digital arrest’ is not a legal procedure and that legitimate agencies do not demand money via online calls.